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"They fell in love with the area," Nordstrand says. "At first, they were just going to do one week here. But after they returned to L.A., they decided to come back for another three weeks of filming at various locations." Nordstrand started as a volunteer with the MCFC 28 years ago, later serving as the non- profit's executive director before moving into her current film commissioner role. One of just 60 professionals worldwide to achieve certified film commissioner status with the Association of Film Commissioners International, she works with a part-time colleague and volunteer board of directors to direct marketing campaigns that promote the region's production-friendly attrib- utes. She also helps crews working on television shows, movies, music videos, fashion shoots and commercial projects find their perfect Monterey County settings. Such projects have generated more than $106 million in economic impact since the Monterey County Board of Supervisors established the MCFC in 1987. The first season of "Big Little Lies" resulted in $2.5 million of local spending alone— plus plenty of additional tourism dollars, as fans 98 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 Many filmmakers have chosen the Monterey area for its spectacular, unspoiled backdrops. According to the MCFC website, more than 200 films, almost as many television shows and travelogues and print ads have been created locally. James Dean stands in line for lunch during a break from filming "East of Eden," based on John Steinbeck's novel about the Salinas Valley. The movie was released in 1955. Photo: The Californian